Overton Park Master Plan

OVERTO N P A RK MA S TE R P LA N
A 2A Yea r P rogram of P ark lmp ro v e me n t s a n d Renewal
Pr ep a r e d for:
City of M emphis
M em p h is P ark Commission
R i tch ie Smith A ssociates
Ap r il 198 8
Overton Pa rk h a s b e e n re f e rre d t o a s
the "crow n je we l1 " o f t h e Me mp h isp a rk
system. T h is is a n a p p ro p ria t e re f e re n c e
becauseo f t h e j n h e re n t n a t u ra l b e a u t y
of park o p e n s p a c e s a n d f o re s t , b e c a u s e
of the div e rs e s o c ia l a n d e t h n ic ma k e -u p
of park u s e rs , a n d b e c a u s eO v e rt o n i s
hometo such prom'i
nent Memph'i
s i nsti tutions as B ro o k s Mu s e u m,Me mp h isCo lle g e
of A rt, an d Me mp h is7 o o a n d A q u a riu m.
Ihe ideas in t h is re p o rt a re t h e re s u lt
of an 18 mo n t h o p e n p la n n ' in g p ro c e s s
This effo rt h a s b e e n c o n t in u o u s ly
informed b y a wid e a rra y o f Me mp h ' ia n s ,
and has b e e n p re p a re d b y a mu lt i discipl ina ry c o n s u lt a n t t e a m"
Thjs Mas t e r P la n re p re s e n t s t h e f irs t
compreh e n s iv e
a s s e s s me n o
t f t h e p a rk s in c e
j ts 'ince p t io n i n 1 9 0 1, a n d a c c o rd in g1y ,
the scop e o f p ro p o s e dimp ro v e me n t sa n d
renewal ' is 2 0 y e a rs .
Srercon Park Forest. - ca. I9l3
TABL E OF CONTE NTS
H IS TORIC
CONIE X T
5
II
MASTER
PLANSUMMARY
Cap'ita j improvementsP ro g ra m
7
16
III
PARKA CTIV ITIE SP ROGRA M
'19
Survey of P ark Users
l9
21
ProgramRecommendati
ons
IV
SIT E and TRA FFIC
A NA LY S I S
Geograph'i
c Context
Ci rculation and P arkin g
Park A ctivities
V egetation Cover
Hi storic Features
A estheti c Quali ti es
Current P l ans
APPE NDIX :A LTE RNA TIV
E
CONCE
PPTL A NS
A l ternative P l an 'A '
A l ternative P l an 'B '
A l ternative P l an 'C'
P ublic Input and P lan R e f jn e me n t
VI
APPE NDIX :CLIE NTand P LA NNI NG
T E A M/ A DDI T I O NARE
L P O RT S
25
27
28
30
32
34
36
38
40
42
43
44
46
49
Greensward Panorana - Looking
-;.
**p-=*:.vj;:
;:--*s5fi9,
East From Main Pavilion
-I9I2"
O VER TON P A RK MA S TE R P LA N
I.
H IST ORIC CONTE X T
Ove r ton Park, located in the he a rt o f o u r c it y ,
is Me mp h is ' mo s t p ro min e n t p a r k .
The 3 4 2 acre park, along with t h e p a rk wa ys y s t e m, wa s p ' la n n e db y K a n s a sCi t y
la n d sca pearchitect GeorgeK es s le r in 1 9 0 1 . Mr. K e s s le r wa s re t a in e d b y t he
M em p h isPark Commissjon,forme d o n e y e a r e a rlie r b y a c t o f t h e T e n n e s s e e
L e g isl a ture. The founding of t h e Me mp hs i P a rk Co mm' isosni re p re s e n t e d a b ol d
a n d 'in n o vative action, particula rly a mo n gs o u t h e rn c ' it ie s . T h is b ro a d p o f i c y
in n o va ti on was matchedin kind b y t h e wo rk o f Mr. K e s s le r, in t h e e x c e l le n c e
o f h is o verall recommendations
a n d jn t h e d e s ig n a n d e x e c u t io n o f h is p la ns .
It is n o teworthy that muchof M e mp h is 'e a rly e a s t wa rd d e v e lo p me n wa
t s sparked
a n d gu 'id edby the construct'ion o f t h e p a rk wa y sa n d O v e rt o n P a rk .
Th r o u g h outits history, the P ark h a s b e e n a u n iq u e re s o u rc e o f n a t u ra l, c u l t u r a l ,
a n d r ecr eational significance.
I n a d d it io n t o b e in g t h e f jrs t
ma jo r me t rop o l i t a n
p a r k in Memphis,the evolutiona ry g r. o wt ho f O v e rt o n P a rk h a s ' in c lu d e d t h e c i t y ' s
fi r st p u bfic golf course (1904 ), t h e f irs t z o o (1 9 0 6 ), a n d t h e f irs t p u b li c a r t
m u se u m( 1916). Overton P ark m a in t a in s it s p re -e min e n t ro le a s a f o c u s f o r t h e
a r ts an d for passive recreation , wit h in t h e c o n t e x t o f u n t ra mme le dn a t u re .
Th r o u g h outal I seasons, i t serv e s t h e wi d e s t d i v e rs i t y o f p e o p1e , b o t h ' lo c a l 1 y
a n c,lr '€g iona11y.
L)\'E,ttTo);
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lt
.,\IEIIPHIS TENN.
.P'EK.DEPARTAENT
Plan
Generol
OF
OVIEIR'IION
PA]R,K
I
t
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Original
Park PIan by George Kessler
- 1902.
il.
M AS TE R P LA N S UMMA RY
Th e cur r ent Master P lan effort,
b e g u n in 1 9 8 6 , ma rk s t h e f irs t in s t a n c e s inc e
19 0 L th a t a comprehensivestudy o f t h e p a rk h a s b e e n c o mmis s ' io n e d .L jk e t h e
p 'io n e e r ng
i work of Mr. K essler, t h ' is p l a n ' is ' in t e n d e da s a n a c t i o n a b le d o c u m e n t. The planning team has at t e mp t e d t o d e l iv e r n o t o n ly a p ro g ra mo f c a p i t a ' l
i m pr o ve mentsbut also a consen s u so f s u p p o rt f o r t h e s e ' imp ro v e me n t s .T h e
l atte r
has entailed input from a wid e a rra y o f Me mp h ' ia nwh
s o c o mp ris e t h e m o s a i c
of p a r k users and constituents. I n -p a rk s u rv e y s , a q u e s t ' io n a ire , a n d n u m e r o u s
p u b lic m eet'ingswere conductedt o re v ie w t h e P la n n ' in gT e a m' s id e a s . T h is
p.r oce sshas resulted in a base o f s u p p o rt f o r t h e Ma s t e r P la n , d S we ll a s
in cr e a se d awarenessand apprecia t jo n f o r t h e p a rk in g e n e ra l.
In esse n ce, the Master P lan is in t e n d e d t o g u id e a s e q u e n c eo f p a rk imp ro v e m e n t s
an d m an agement
actions for a perio d o f 2 0 y e a rs . T h e s e imp ro v e me n t sa n d a c t ' i o n s
can be d escribed in three broad c a t e g o rie s :
1)
Resolve park-w'idepro b le ms in c lu d in g t ra f f ic c o n g e s t io n a n d p a r k i n g ,
visitbr orientation, a n d p e rc e p t io n s o f in s e c u rit y .
2)
i ions ,
E n su reco o rd n
i a ti o n and compati
bi f ity among
al I par k ' inst'tut'
e sp e ci a1l y th o se w 'ith cur r ent expans' ion
plans: Er ooksMuseumM, er nph.i
s
Z o o a n d A q u a ri u m,a nd M emphis
Collegeof Ar t.
3)
Improve the quali ty a n d c o n d it ' io n o f v a ri o u s re c re a t i o n a ' l s p a c es
within the park. Cre a t e mo re e f f e c t iv e ma n a g e me nptra c t ic e s ,
especially for the his t o ric a n d f o re s t re s o u rc e s .
Th e M a ster P lan suggests that th e b a s ic t y p e s o f la n d u s e s a n d p a s s ' iv e re c r e a tio n a l activ'ities within the pa rk re ma in u n c h a n g e d . Ho we v e r,t h e a re a s a nd s p a c e s
w hich su pport these activites s h o u ld b e ' imp ro v e d . I n p a rt ic u la r, t h e G re en s w a r d
( 21 a c.) and the V 'irgin Forest (1 7 5 a c .) a re re c o g n iz e d a s t h e p rime n a t u ra l a s s e t s
in the park, and prescriptions f o r d e t a ' ile d a n a ly s is , o h h a n c e me nat n d ma n a g e m e n t
ar e in cl uded.
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O V E RT O N P A RK MA ST E R P L A N
City of Memphis
Me mp h is P a rk Co mmi s s i o n
lnfrtru( +inruw
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Ritchie Smith Associates
March 1988
MIDDLE POPLARB|TRAI,ICE- New Gates,
Signage,
Lighting,
l,andscape,
Special
Road Surface.
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EAST B.ID POPLARE\ITRANCE- Closed to Vehicles"
10
Bike and Pedestrian
Only.
l ^l'i
th m a n ypark I and uses re I ati ve i y f ix e do t h e Ma s t e r P l a n c o n c e n t ra t e s o n
acce ss a n d circulation.
W hile an o u t rig h t t ra f f ic b a n wa s ru le d o u t d u e t o t h e
n e ce ssity of access to key jnsti t u t ' io n s , it wa s re c o g n jz e d t h a t ma n yo f t h e
"car r ia g e way" drives are outmod e d . T o re lie v e t h e c o n g e s t io n a n d c o n f u s ion i n
the se m e anderi
ng carri ageways,a n e w a n d s imp lj f i e d c ' irc u l a t i o n p l a n i s p ro p o s e d .
Th is p ]an proposes that the auto mo b ile b e re s t ric t e d t o n e c e s s a rya n d le a s t
in tr usive routes, while the pede s t ria n o r b jc y c lis t h a s t h e f re e d o m t o f o ilo w
a va r ie ty of pathways. The P lan in c lu d e s e l' imin a t io n o f c e rt a in p a rk d riv es
an d e n tr ances. l^ lith 'improvedph y s ic a l i d e n t i t y t o t h e s e e n t ra n c e se a n d mo r e
de sti na ti on oriented circulation a n d p a rk in g , t h e p a rk will f u n c t io n in a m o r e
co n ve n ie nt and secure manner. Elimin a t io n o f c e rt a in d riv e s will e n h a n c eth e
q u a 'li ty of prime open spaces suc h a s t h e G re e n s wa rd ,a n d t h e c o n t in u e d (if n o t
e xp a n d e d )"P eople Day" concept o f re s t ric t e d we e k e n dt ra f f ic wiI i p ro t e c t bo t h
the vi si tor experi ence and the e c o lo g i c a ' l i n t e g rit y o f t h e F o re s t .
Follo win g are selected highlight s o f t h e Ma s t e r P la n , wit h e mp h a s iso n impr o v e m e n ts r ecommended
in the next 4 y e a rs
.1.
SIM PT-I
FY E NTRA NCE
and
S DRIVE S
Reducethe length of p a rk d riv e s f ro m 6 mile s t o 4 , a n d p a rk e n tr a n c e s
from 11 to 6.
Close t h e b u s la n e , Do u g h b o yd riv e , a n d o t h e r d u pl i c a t e
roads reclaiming ped e s t ria n s p a c e . imp ro v e t h e v ' is ib if it y a n d s i g n a g e
of all park entrances . Cre a t e mo re d e s t jn a t io n -o rie n t e d a c c e s s a n d
parki ng for al I park f a c i I ' it i e s .
2.
IM PR OVMIDDLE
E
P OP LA E
RNTRA NCE
Improvg the "main ent ra n c e " in t o t h e p a rk wit h n e w g a t e p o s t s , m o n u m e n t
signage, lighting, lan d s c a p e , a n d t e x t u re d p a v in g .
3.
C LO SE
RNTRA NCE
E A S TP OP LA E
E l'iminate vehi cul ar tra f f j c a t t h i s e n t ra n c e , wh ic h i s h a z a rd o u st h o u g h
not heavily used. R e t a in a s a p e d e s t ria n e n t ra n c e wit h c o n t in u ou s
s'idewalks along P oplar A v e n u e .
11
4.
IMPROVENORTHPARKWAY
ENTRANCE
E ncourageaccess from t h e n o rt h a n d u n d e ru s e ds ' id e o f t h e p a rk .
Improveentrance wi th n e w g a t e p o s t s , mo n u me nst i g n d g € , 1i g h t i n g ,
I andscape,and textur e d p a v in g .
5.
AR TZONEP A RK ING
Newshared parki ng (17 5 c a rs ) f o r B ro o k s Mu s e u m,wh ic h ' is u n d e rg o n
i g
a major $7.0Mexpansio n , t h e Co 'le
l g e o f A rt , a n d t ^ la lle n b u rgS h el l "
The comp]ementaryuse p a t t e rn s o f t h e s e f a c i l i t i e s wi l l a l l o w o p t i m a l
use of this lot"
6"
2 0 0 ACCE Sand
S P A RK ING
pr epar edby Desig n
T h eMa ste rP l a n fo r M emphis
Zoo.and Aquar jur n,
C o n so rti u m
o f N e w0 rleans, r ecom m ends
a sjngle zoo entr anceand l ar ge
south parking area of over 900 spaces. As these improvements
are
'i mp l e me n te da, l o n g w ith incr easedzoo visitor shjp, developa r es tr i c te d " zo o o n l y" ve h i cular dr iye. This will haves.ignedand contr o l l ed
accessat eachend: Ga'llowaynear McLean
and the park loop road northw e st o f th e S h e l l .
7.
GOLFCOURSE
PARKING
.
E.
Cons'i
der rehabi 1i tati o n o f f o rme r p a rk i n g a re a (3 5 c a rs ) e a s t o f g oI f
cl ub house"
PARK-NE IGHB ORHOOD
INTE RFA C E
Reducethe'intensity
o f p a rk u s e s a ' lo n g t h e we s t e rn p a rk e d g e a dj a c e n t
to the resjdent'ial ne ig h b o rh o o d . Clo s e O v e rt o n P a rk A v e n u ee n t r a n c e
to traf f i c; mainta'in a s p e d e s t ri a n e n t ry " A s d e s c ri b e d a b o v e, z o o
traffic
should be isola t e d f ro m o t h e r p a rk a n d n e ig h b o rh o o dt ra f f i c .
It is recommended
that t h e Cit y a c q u ire t h e 3 . 0 a c re p o rt io n o f t h e
I-40 right-of-way, eas t o f Mc le a n a n d s o u t h o f G a llo wa y . T h js w o u l d
extend the park westwa rdt o Mc le a n a n d wo u ld c re a t e a I a n d s c a p e
buffer for the neighb o rh o o d .
L2
9.
G R EE NS WAIMP
RDROV E ME NT S
Maintain the Greens wa rda s t h e p rime o p e n s p a c e in t h e p a rk . C r e a t e
a P romenade
at the si t e o f Do u g h b o yDri v e , t o ' imp ro v ep e d e s t ri an
access to the zoo and p ro v id e f o r a v a rie t y o f u s e s : s t ro llin g ,
skat'ing, sitting, soc ia iiz in g e t c . A d d p a rk in g (6 5 c a . rs ) a n d a r i n g
walk encircf ing the Gre e n s wa rd .
iO.
RAINBOt^l
LAKERESTORATION
Restore RainbowLake a s t h e e a s t e rn a n d h is t o ric v is u a l t e rmin u s o f
the Greensward" Inc lu d e s p o o l re s t o ra t io n , la k e s id e s e a t in g a rea s
and 1andscape.
11 ". FO RMAGA
L RDEand
N P A V ILI0N
Restore Formal Gardent o a n a c c e p t a b le le v e l o f ma jn t e n a n c e . ins t a l l
an ori entati on pavi I i o n , re c a i 1i n g t h e c h a ra c t e r o f t h e 1 g 0 Z s t r u c t u r e ,
.
at the east edge of t h e F o rma l G a rd e n .
12" FOREST
MANAGEMENT
Retain forestry cons u lt a n t f o r e v a lu a t io n a n d lo n g t e rm ma n a g em e n t
p1an for 175 acre urb a n f o re s t . P re s e n c eo f " in v a d e r s p e c ie s , ,
j a l a c t ' io n a n d p e r o d ic
K udzu, honeysuckl
e, an d p ri v e t
re q uj re s re me d
monitori ng.
Fo llo w'in g are recommendations
wh ic h a re d e e me da p p ro p ria t e f o r y e a rs 5 t h r o u g h Z O .
1.
PEDE S TRIA
N B ICY CLE
and
TRA I L S
Create a network of p e d e s t ria n a n d b ' ic y c le t ra ils t h ro u g h o u t t h e p a r k ,
uti lizing former driv e s wh e re a p p ro p ria t e . Cre a t e a 1 . 4 mile jog g i n g
trai 1 , wi th min i mum' in t e rs e c t i o n wi t h o t h e r mo d e so f t ra f f . ic .
2.
FORE SiNTE
T
RP RE TIV
E IL
TRA
Create a I.7 mi le for e s t lo o p t ra i I wit h in t e rp re t iv e s ig n a g e a nd
display relat'ing to th e f o re s t e c o io g y o f t h is ra re a n d v a ju e d re s o u r c e .
install
13
park'ing bojlard s a n d o t h e r p ro t e c t iv e me a s u re sa s re q u .red
i .
3.
ENTRANCE
EASTPARKIAJAY
IMPROVE
Create a sing'le park e n t ra n c e f ro m E a s t P a rk wa ys e rv in g t h e P ic n i c
P av'ilion area.
Newg a t e wa y , S ig n a g e , l' i g h t in g , la n d s c a p e , a n d
textured paving.
4.
Re v js e d p a rk in g la y o u t f o r 1 0 0 c a rs .
NC E
A NTRA
Y
IM PROVGA
E LLOW E
Improvethe primary we s t e n t ry w' it h n e w g a t e p o s t s . mo n u me nst ' i g n a g e ,
1i ghti ng, I andscape,a n d t e x t u re d p a v ' ni g"
5.
RELOCATE
PLAYAREA
Triggered by expansio n o f z o o p a rk ' in g , re l o c a t e p l a y a re a t o e a s t
edge of Greensward ,s o u t h o f Ra in b o wt a k e .
6.
M IN ORDRIV EIMP ROV E ME NT S
Modify south end of KennilworthStreet near The Parkview,for
increasedtraffic safety. Modify drive at northeast corner of park
to . re stri ct F o re st access. Ljmited par king for 35 car s.
7.
NEtllSOUTHEAST
GREENSWARD
Removeancillary bu' ijd ' in g s a n d p a v in g a t s o u t h e n d o f Ma in t e n a n c e
Compound.Retain co re ma in t e n a n c ef a c ilit ie s .
Cre a t e n e w G ree n s w a r d
in this area, oS othe r p a rk o p e n s p a c e s e x c e e d t h e ir c a B a c it y f o r u s e .
This wil I mark a s'ig n if ic a n t e n h a n c e me notf t h e p a rk ' ima g ea t th e p r i m e
intersection of P opla r a n d E a s t P a rk wa y . Cre a t , es e p a ra t e e n t ra n c e s
for maintenancevehi c l e s a n d p u b li c t ra f f i c , w' it h re s p e c t i v e p ar k ' i n g
I ots of 65 and 85 ca rs .
8.
REST0RE
M0NUME NTS
and ME M O RI A L S
Implementa sustained re s t o ra t io n p ro g ra m, p o s s ib ly a ' id e d b y p r i v a t e
f unds. P ri ori t'ize r e s t o ra t i o n a c c o rd in g t o s t ru c t u ra j c o n d it ' i on a n d
h'istoric significanc e .
and swales.
L4
P ro g ra ms h o u ld in c lu d e s t o n e b ri d g e s , d ' it c h e s ,
9.
L AN DS CA and
P E FURNIS HING S
Implementprogramsfo r p e rio d ic la n d s c a p ep la n t in g
p a rt ic u la r l y
tree rep lacement
an d i n s t a l I a t i o n o f s ' it e f u rn i s h i n g s : b e n c h e s ,
tab'le, trash recepta cj e s , e t c .
1 0 . FORE SMA
T NA GE ME NT
Continued implemen t a t io na n d re v is io n o f F o re s t Ma n a g e me nptla n .
..R
.Fir.
i]t'-r
t;: l i .
Rainbow Lake - ca. 1913.
15
OVERTONPARK: Capital lmprovementsProgram- Years One through Four
YE A R1
YEAR2
$ 1 3 0 ,0 0 0 A rt Zonepar k' ing( 175 car s)
2 1 0 ,0 0 0 R e routedr ive betweenShel' l and M CA;newpar king ( 65)
4 0 ,0 0 0 P a rk- widesignageand gr aphics
d king ar eas ( 2 - 55 car s)
8 0 ,0 0 0 Gre enswarpar
program
8,000 Forest management
$468,000
Y E A R1 S UB T o T A L
$340.000
100,000
Impro v emjd d le P o p la r e n t ra n c e
8,000
YEAR3
Irnpro v e me n tast e a s t P o p la r e n t ra n c e , O v e rt o n P a r k
Av e n u ee n t ra n c e, a n d b u s I a n e a re a (c ' lo s u re by D P l)^ l
Fore s t ma n a g e me nBtro g ra m
$448,000
Y E A R2 S UB T o T A L
$tf0,000
200,000
Impro v eNo rt h P a rk wa ye n t ra n c e
50,000
30,000
30,000
8,000
Rest o re Ra in b o wL a k e a n d a d ja c e n t a re a
S igna g e a n d s it e imp ro v e me n t s : P o p la r a n d E a s t P a r k w a y
Rest o re g o lf p a rk in g (3 5 c a rs )
Impro v ep a rk in g n e a r No rt h a n d E a s t P a rk wa y(3 5 c a r s )
Fore s t ma n a g e me nptro g ra m
3 SUBToTAL
$ 4 2 8 ,0 0 0 Y E AR
YEAR4
$100,000
220,000
200,000
8,000
Rest o re F o rma l G a rd e n
P ede s t ria n P ro me n a d ae t Do u g h b o yDriv e
New0ri e n t a t i o n P a v 'Ii i o n
Fore s t ma n a g e me nptro g ra m
4 SUBToTAL
$ 5 2 8 ,0 0 0 Y E AR
SUBT0TAL
$ 1 ,8 7 2 ,0 0 0 F o URYEAR
1 .8,2
7 OO S U GGESTED
TO%
CONTINGENCY
$ 2 ,0 5 9 ,2 0 0 T o T AL
16
1
OVERTON P A RK :
$
50 ,000
20 0,000
15 0,000
10 0,000
22 0,000
P ossible F u t u re lmp ro v e me n t s
Y e a rs F iv e t h ro u g h T w e n t y
P ark s'iqnageand g ra p h jc s (c o mpe' lt e )
NewE ast P arkwa yE n t ra n c e a n d P i c ni c P a v iI i o n p a rk i n g ( 1 0 0)
GalI oway entran c e jmp ro v e me n t s
A nci'll ary oarki n g a re a s
1 3 0,000
Relocate P lay A re a (Z o o p a rk in g e x p a n s . io n )
Greenswardring wa lk a n d s it e imp ro v e me n t s
2 0 0,000
Jogging traii,
1 0 0,000
Forest interpret iv e t ra il a n d f u rn is h in g s
Restore park mo n u me n tas n d me mo ria ls ; h js t o ric p ia q u e s
Restore stone brid g e s a n d c re e k s
20 0 ,000
2 0 0 ,000
6 0 0 ,000
30 0 ,000
8 0 ,000
b ic y c le t ra ils .
c o mp le t e s jd e wa lk s
NewGreenswardat s o u t h e a s t c o rn e r; -n e wp u b iic e n t ra n c e a n d
parking (85). C o s t d o e s n o t in c lu d e re lo c a t io n o r c o n s o lid a t i o n
of existing sou t h a re a ma in t e n a n c ef a c irit ie s .
General site fur n is h irg s , 1ig h t in g a n d la n d s c a p e
Ongoingforest ma n a g e me n t :1 6 y e a rs o g 5 , 0 0 0 / y e a r
EAR
suBTorAL
$ z,slo,ooo S IX TE Ey N
379,500 SUGGESTED
TsY"
CONTINGENCY
$ 2 , 9 0 9,5 0 0 T o T A L
o v ER T o N P ARK :
A d d i ti o n alRecomm endationsBy other s
D ep a r tmentof E ngineering
llliden Mclean from GalI oway to North
P a rk wa y ;a d d o n e la n e t o e a s t s id e .
I mp ro v et imin g o f t ra f f ic s ig n a l a t
Mc L e a na n d No rt h P a rk wa y .
City of Memphis
A c q u ire 3 . 0 1 a c re u n d e v e lo p e dp a rc el
i n I -40 r i g6't-of-way, east of Mclean
a n d s o u t h o f G a llo wa y .
M e m p h isZoo and A quarium
I mp rc v e s o u t h Z o o p a rk in g lo t w. it h n e w
e n t ry p ia z a a n d re s t ric t e d z o o d rjv e
and gates.
17
$
;,&
i7'
&'
#;
:ires,
{
M ,4
'{cffi:lt*
Brooks Museum- West Entrance Facade of.Origina1
Informal
t8
Sports
Rogers Wing-1916
Play on the Greensward - 1987.
I I I.
PARK A CTIV ITIE S P ROGRA M
Sur ve v o f P ark Users
On e p r im e objective of the mast e r p la n n in g p ro c e s s is a t h o ro u g h u n d e rs t a nd i n g
o f th e p ark and its users, both p a s t a n d p re s e n t , in o rd e r t o ma k ea p p ro pr i a t e
r e co m m e ndations
for the future.
A n e v a lu a t io n o f t h e t y p e s o f u s e rs a n d a c t i v i -
ti es i n the park was prepared, u t il' iz in g d ire c t o b s e rv a t io n a n d s u rv e y t e ch n i q u e s .
D ur in g the weekendof A ugust 23-2 4 , 1 9 8 6 , me mb e rso f t h e P la n n in g f e a m a n d P a r k
C om m issionstaff conductedin-p a rk s u rv e y s . F iv e h u n d re da n d t we n t y f iv e p e o p l e
we r e i nterv'iewedat si x I ocati o n s :
G o lf Co u rs e , B ro o k s Mu s e u m,Co lle g e o f A r t /
Sh e ll ar e a, Greensward,Zoo ent ra n c e , a n d P ic n ic P a v iI io n / e a s t f o re s t a re a.
i s wa s ma ile d t o 6 1
At the samet'ime, a similar set o f wrjt t e n q u e s t jo n n a 're
ne ig h b o r hoodleaders throughou t t h e me t ro p o l' it a n a re a .
T h is wa s o n e me a n so f
estab lish ing contact with a bro a d e r s p e c t ru m o f t h e c o mmu n it y . T h e s e q u e s t i o n na 'ir e s had a 36%return rate.
I n ad d iti on to these surveys, i n t e rv i e ws we re c o n d u c t e dwi t h I e a d e rs o f e a c h
m ajo r pa r k institution.
fhe ann u a l a t t e n d a n c e f ig u re s f o r t h e s e in s t jt u t io n s ,
fr om 1 9 8 6, underscore the impo rt a n c eo f 0 v e rt o n a s t h e ma jo r me t ro p o lit a n p a r k
'in M em p his:
B roolcsMuseum
MemphisCoiiege of A r t s
W alI enburg S helI
Memphis7oo and A quariu m
Golf Course
50,000
40,000
1.0
,000
548,000
50,000
v e ri f i e d
698,000
ToTAL
veri fi ed
a p p ro x ima t e
a p p ro x ' ima t e
v e ri f i e d
8 y c o n s erva ti vee sti ma ti o n , th er e ar e an addjtional 150,000annualvisits to the
p a r k , i n c l u d i n g th o se w h oco mefor walking, jogging, bicycl ing, pleasur ed r i v i ng
p i c n i c k i ng , th e fo re st, th e p l aygr oundand unstnuctur ed"fr ee play,' and r ec r eati on.
T h i s w o u l db ri n g th e to ta l n u rnber
of annualpar k visits to 850,000.
l9
Re sp o n sesto the survey and que s t io n n a ire in d ic a t e t h a t , d S e x p e c t e d , t h e m o s t
fr eq u e n t park vis'i tors are from a d ja c e n t n e ig h b o rh o o d sin m' id t o wna n d a ro u n d
R ho d e sC olI ege. However,there we re re s p o n s e sf ro m ma n yo t h e r n e i g h b o rh o o d s
an d fr om all 12 zip code areas b e t we e nt h e Mjs s is s ip p i Riv e r, t h e L o o s a h at c h i e
R ive r , Germantown,and the Missi s s ' ip p i s t a t e I i n e .
T h e 5 2 5 s u rv e y re s p o n d e n t s
i nclu d e d vis'itors from other nejg h b o rin g s t a t e s a n d e v e n t wo E u ro p e a nc o u n t r i e s .
App r o xim ately 60%of t,hosewho we re s u rv e y e d v is it t h e p a rk p ima rily o n we e k e n d s .
o f a ll respondentsvisit the B a rk o n a f re q u e n c y b e t we e no n c e p e r y e a r a n d
60 o lo
on ce p e r month. 25y"of all resp o n d e n t sv ' is it t h e p a rk a t le a s t o n c e p e r w e e k ,
with a p r eference for b'icycling, a n d p la y g ro u n d u s e . S u rv e y re s p o n d e n t s
ar r ive ci b y the fol lowing modes :
A utomobi
Ie
89o/"
t'Ialk, Jog, B i cycl e
8%
P ubli c or Charter B us
3o/o
M ost o f the respondentsen rout e t o a p a rt ic u la r d e s t in a t io n s u c h a s B ro o k s
M u se u md, i d not vi si t other park i n s t i t u t i o n s o r a me n ' itei s " A mo n gt h o s e n o t
vis'it'i ng any institution, the p re f e rre d a c t ' iv jt e s we re p a s s iv e jn n a t u re :
g o l f i ng , bi cyc'li ng, pl aygFoundu s e , p ' ic n i c k i n g, wa lk i n g a n d j o g g in g . Ma ny
I i sb e d "r el axat'ion" or "enjoy'in g s c e n e ry " a s p rima ry re a s o n s f o r b e ' in g i n t h e
pa r k.
Both the survey and written ques t jo n n a ' ire in c ju d e d o p e n -e n d e dq u e s t jo n s f o r
th e r esp ondentto express person a l c o n c e rn s a n d i n t e re s t s " S o meo f t h e s e
'i ssue s a r e noteworthy. Manyar e c o n c e rn e da b o u t s e c u rit y , c it in g e it h e r s p e c i fi c in cid ents or a general perc e p t io n o f in s e c u rit y . A n o t h e r d o min a n t c o nc e r n
'is a cce ss and travel through the p a rk . Crit ic is ms in c lu d e : t o o ma n ye n t r a n c e s ,
p o o r or i entati on and si gndge, t o o mu c ht ra f f i c , a n d t o o I ' it t l e p a rk ' in g " T h e r e
'is sig n ificant
interest in the p h y s 'ci a l c o n d it io n o f t h e p a rk , wh ic h o n e r e s p o n d -
en t d e scribed as "shabby". S e v e ra l re s p o n d e n t ss u g g e s t e du p g ra d jn g o r b e tt e r
ca r e fo r park vegetation and gro u n d s , p ic n ic t a b le s , d rin k in g f o u n t a in s , r e s t
r o o m s, and historic memorials"
Su g g e stions f orimprovements wi t h ' in t h e p a rk i n c l u d e : " b e t t e r re c re a t j o n al
20
spa ce '., joggi ng trai'l s, bri dl e p a t h s , p l a y a re a s f o r s ma Il e r c h i I d re n , mor e
be n ch e sand picnic areas, impr o v e dp a rk in g a n d o rie n t a t io n , a n d a re s t o re d
R a'in b o wLake. S imply stated, p e o p le a re c o n c e rn e dt h a t t h e p a rk b e s a f e ,
cl ea n , a nd easi'ly accessible.
I n a d d jt ' io n , Me mp ha'ni s c a re a b o u t t h e wa y i t
lo o ks.
F or additional deta'iis, re f e r t o S u rv e y o f V is it o r Us e a n d T ra f f ic
. |9 8 7 )
Patte r n s in 0verton P ark (A llen & Ho s h a ll I n c . wit h S mit h
Proqram Recommendations
Fr om i ts founding in 1901 to th e p re s e n t d a y , 0 v e rt o n P a rk h a s s e rv e d a c o m - .
b i n a t'i on of i nterests. However
, t h e p rima ry p u rp o s e ' is t o p ro v i d e a n a t u ra l
en vi r o n ment i n which Memph'is'ex p a n dni g u rb a n p o p u la t ' io n c a n f in d re s p i t e
am 'id st the city's
hustle and bu s t le a n d re f re s h me n t t h ro u g h re c re a t ' io n in
con ve n ient, safe and scenic su rro u n d in g s .
0ve r th e years the park has als o b e c o mea n ' imp o rt a n t c u lt u ra l f o c u s a n d a n
eco lo g ical and educatjonal reso u rc e . Mo re t h a n e v e r, it
is a c h a lle n g e t o
ba la n ce the demandsfrom the va rie d in d iv id u a ls a n d in t e re s t g ro u p s c o mp et 'in g for use within a I imited sp a c e . Us e r c o n c e rn s a n d in t e re s t s
. ra n g e . f ro m
'i
th e vi r g'in forest, oh rreplacab l e n a t u ra l re s o u rc e wi t h i n o u r c i t y c e n t e r ,
to Br o o ks Museum
and the cluste r o f in s t it u t io n s , t o t h e mo s t v is it e d a t t r a c tio n 'in Memph'i
s
the Zoo and A q u a riu m. it ' is t h e f a c t t h a t t h e s e in t e re s t s
r an g e so widel-v from the works o f n a t u re t o t h e wo rk s o f h u ma n k in d ,t h a t m a k e s
0ve r ton s uch a dynamicp1ace.
D ur in g the 20 year developmento f t h is Ma s t e r P la n , ' it is re c o mme n d et h
dat
fe w wh o 11ynew activ'ites can or s h o u ld b e a c c o mmo d a t ew'
d it h in t h e p a rk .
In
m o st ca ses, there i s simply no s p a c e a v a i I a b l e f o r s u c h d e v e ' lo p me n ts, h o rt
of "r ecycf ing" and mult'ip1e use o f e x is t in g s p a c e s . in s t e a d , e f f o rt s s h o u l d
be m ad eto repa'ir or enhanceex is t in g f a c ilit ' ie s a n d a c t iv ' it y a re a s wit h in
th e pa r k.
As de scr i bed, v'irtual i y ai'l of t h e re c re a t i o n a l a c t iv i t i e s j n t h e p a rk a re
p a ssive in nature. A ct'ive rec re a t ' io n a ' l u s e s , s u c h a s o rg a n iz e d t e a m s p o rt s
o r co u r t sports which requ'ire a la rg e e x p a n s eo f p a v in g , a re d e e me din a p p r o p r i a t e .
21
The n o ise and impacts of these u s e s d o n o t c o -e x is t e a s i' ly o r h a rmo n ' io u s l y
with th e passive and tranquii ac t iv ' it ie s in t h e p a rk . T h e c o n c e n t ra t io n o f h e a v y
a cti v'i ty 'in and around such uses wil I b e d a ma g ' in g
t o t h e me a d o ws
and other park
na tur a l areas, especial I y the fo re s t . F u rt h e rmo re , a re a s f o r h i g h i n t e n s ' it y
' ly
r e cr e a ti on have been histori ca1 a b s e n t f ro m t h e p a rk s in c e ' it s e s t a b l' is hm e n t
in 1 9 0 1 "
A I ist o f all act'ivit'i es 'in the p a rk h a s b e e n p re p a re d f ro m d ' ire c t o b s e rv a t i o n
an d su r veys. Manyof these act iv it ie s
o n e for m or another
h a v e o c c u rre d s in c e 1 9 0 i, , a n d a ll
should con t ' in u e in t o t h e f u t u re .
PASSIVE
RE CRE A TION
Pi cnickjn g
l l l a1
ki n g and S trol I i ng
Vi si t'i ng and Courti ng
Gr o u p G atherings and Reunions
Dog tda'l
ki ng
Re ia xi ng and S unbath'i
ng
Go 'lf in g
H i kj n g
Bi cycf i n g
P1a yg r o u ndUse
Jog g 'in g
Ro lI e r Sk ati ng and S kateboarding
Ki te F1yi ng
Fr i sb e e T hrow'ing
Vie win g Scenery
N atur e Study and B ird W atching
Pain ti ng , S ketching and P hotogra p h y
Re a di n g
Tea ch in g - A rea Colleges and Me mp h isCit y S c h o o ls
22
in
ACTIVERE CRE A TION
So cce r a nd Rugby (non-organizedo r p ra c t ic e )
Picku p Softball and Touch Footb a ll
R un s a n d Races (organized even t s )
AUTORELATED
Ple a su r e Driving
Cr u is'ing (more soci a1I y 'intera c t i v e t h a n a b o v e)
Ca r Wa shingand Waxing
C U LTURAand
L E DUCA TIONA L
Visu a l Arts
B ro o k s Mu s e u m
a n d Me mp h isCo lie g e o f A rt
Per for m 'ingA rts
h la lI e n b u rg S h e lI
Zoo log 'ical Observation
Me mp hs i 7 o o a n d A q u a riu m
Ecolog y Study
T h e F o re s t
Fojlo win g is a list
of possible n e w u s e s wh ic h mig h t b e d e v e io p e d ' in t h e p a r k .
PASSIVE
RE CRE A TION
Str uctur ed P lay A rea for childr e n a g e d 3
6
Ba r r i er - Free P l ay A rea
Fee d in g Ducks or Fish (RainbowL a k e )
I nter p r e t'ive Forest Trai I
In ter p r e ti ve _History Trai 1
Th e fol'lo wing could be develope dt h ro u g h p riv a t e c o n c e s s io n :
Fo o d Ve n ding
Ca r r ia g e Rides
Pa d d le Boats (RainbowLake)
23
Scenic Drive
24
Between Nr:$ber 4 and 5 Golf
Holes
lV.
SITE and TRA FFIC A NA LYS I S
Ove r ton Park can be descri bed a n d e x p e rie n c e d o n ma n y l e v e ls .
i st,
To the naturaj-
is an enclave of virgin h a rd wo o dt imb e r t h a t o n c e c o v e re d a n e n t ire
r e g io n . To the histori an. its m e re e x is t e n c e ' is a n imp o rt a n t m' ile s t o n e ' in
Te n n e sse eurban history, and a w a lk t h ro u g h it js t o re c a ll t h e le g a c y o f o n c e
it
an d g r e a t Memphians. To the geo g ra p h e ro r e n g in e e r, a p la c e o f c u rv ilin e a r
d r ive s i n contraposition to the s t ric t u rb a n g rid . T o t h e e n v iro n me n t a lis t o r
d e ve lo p e r, a setting for nationa l p re c e d e n t o v e r t h e ro u t in g o f a n in t e rs t at e
hig h wa y" To the student of des ig n , a le g a c y in t h e ro ma n t ic a n d p a s t o ra l
the m e sof the City B eaut'iful Mov e me n t . T o t h e a rt is t ,
a p la c e o f p ro f o u n d
n a tur a l beauty. A ll of these an d d o u b t le s s o t h e r p e rs p e c t iv e s o n t h e p a rk a r e
im p o r tan t, just as all who use t h e p a rk a re . I n a d d it io n , d ll mu s t c o -e x is t
'in r e a so nable concert with one a n o t h e r.
In th e M aster P lan process, con s jd e ra t io n wa s g iv e n t o s ix k e y f a c t o rs a f f e c t i n g
th e pa r k:
1.
Ci rcul ati on and P a rk in g
2.
P ark A ctivities
3.
V egetation Cove r
4.
H'istoric Featur e s
5.
A esthetjc Qualit' ie s
Current P l ans
6.
An a lys'is in each of these six are a s c a n re s u lt in a mo re in f o rme d u n d e rs t an d ' i n g
o f the pa rk. B y producing a ma p f o r e a c h a n a ly s i s , d i f f e re n t ' in f o rma t ' io nc a n b e
r ea d i 1y comparedand stud'ied. Va ri o u s ma p so r " ' la y e rs " c a n t h e n b e c o mbni e d t o
fr om a m o re complete pi cture of t h e p a rk
To 'im p r o ve the content and accu ra c y o f a ll a n a ly s ' is ma p s , d h a e ria l s u rv e y w a s
co m m issioned. The coverage area e n c o mp a s s etdh e 3 4 2 a c re p a rk a n d a d ja c e nt a r e a s
o f at le a st 200' on alI sides. T h e re s u lt a n t s u rv e y ma p in c lu d e s a lI s ig n if i c a n t
p a r k fe a tures : dri ves, parki ng a re a s, wo lk wa y s, b u i ld ' in g s. me mo ri
a l s , g a rd e n so
b r id g e s a nd creeks.
The survey h a s t o p o g ra p h ' icin f o rma t ' io n o n a Z ' c o n t o ur
i nter va i , wh'ich proved espec'ialI y u s e fuj .
25
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Ceoqraphic Context
lllith the park base ffidp, pius la rg e s c a le ma p so f t h e s u rro u n d in g a re a , it i s
po ssib le to descrjbe the geogra p h ic c o n t e x t o f 0 v e rt o n P a rk . in 1 9 0 1 , t h e p a r k
o ccu p ie d the eastern and growt h -o rie n t e d e d g e o f Me mp h is . No w' it is s f igh t l y
w est of the metropoI 'itan popuI a t i o n c e n t e r . L ' ik e a l I ma jo r p a rk s, 0 v e rt o n
se r ve s on many levels. To tho s e in t h e a d ja c e n t c o mmu n it y , ' it is a n e ' ig hb o r h o o d pa rk. V i si ts are f requen t a n d o f t e n b y wa 1k i n g , jo g g i n g , o r b i c y c ' le.
To tho se residing in Memphisp ro p e r, it ' is
a ma jo r c it y p a rk , wit h b e a u t j f u l
m e a clo ws
and forest, go1f, and re c re a t io n a re a s , a n d t h e c u lt u ra l a t t ra c t io n s .
To th o se'in the greater Memp h isre g io n , a n d t o v is jt in g t o u ri s t s , it is a
r e g io n a l park containing the c it y a rt mu s e u m,a p riv a t e a rt c o ll€ g € , t h e c i t y
zoo , an outdoor ampitheatre, a n d a v e ry s ig n if ic a n t u rb a n f o re s t . T h e p ar k
'is l oca ted i n the central part o f Me mp h ' is
k n o wna s " Mid t o wn ". De v e o
l ped i n
the ea r ly 1900's, the area is c h a ra c t e riz e d b y s ' in g 1 ef a mily h o me sa n d e xt e n si ve tr e e cover.
Certain stree t s h a v e a n a lrn o s t g a rd e n -lik e c h a ra c t e r.
Co m m e r c'ial
uses are genera'l1y re s t ri c t e d t o a rt e r j a l a n d ma jo r ro a d s, t h o u g h
the im m ediatearea around Overt o n p a rk . is p rima ri1 y re s id e n t ia l.
Ever g r e enneighborhoodis loca t e d imme d ' ia t e lywe s t o f t h e p a rk , a n d h a s t he
cl ose st physj cal rel ati on and ' id e n t it y w' it h t h e p a rk . T h e P a rk v ' ie wRe sj d e n c e ,
o p p o site the park at P oplar an d T u c k e r, is a s ' ig n if ic a n t mid -ris e la n d ma r ka n d
In the L980's, t h e re h a b iI i t a t io n o f h i s t o ri c h o me s' in E v e r g r e e n
ha s i ncr eased with the decisio n n o t t o b u ild I n t e rs t a t e 4 0 t h ro u g h Mid t o w n .
fo r r n e r h otel .
Th e He in P ark neighborhoodand Rh o d e sCo lle g e a re s jt u a t e d n o rt h o f t h e pa r k .
Sn o wd e nElementaryschool and t h e Na t ' io n a l Co t t o n Co u n cI' i a re lo c a t e d o n N o r t h
Par kwa y. To the east i s B i ngh a mp t o nn e ' ig h b o rh o o dwjt
, h c o mme rcail s t ri p d e v e lo p m e n to n S ummerA venue, and co mme rc ia la n d ' in d u s t ria l a lo n g B ro a d A v e n ue .
Acr o ss Popiar A venueto the so u t h a re s e v e ra l g a rd e n a p a rt me n t s , o n e m' id - r i s e
lu xu r y apartment, and B elleair n e ig h b o rh o o d . F u rt h e r s o u t h a t Co o p e ra n d
M adi so n 'is the 0verton S quares h o p pi n g a n d e n t e rt a i n me n t a re a.
27
Circulation anc]-Parkiq
Si nce 19 01, the role of the priv a t e a u t o mo b ile h a s c h a n g e dd ra ma t ic a lly ' in
0ve r ton P ark, dS it has in our s o c ie t y .
I n t h e f o u r d e c a d e sp re c e e d ' in gt he
se co n dWorld hlar, the winding c a rria g e wa y sd e s ig n e d b y G e o rg eK e s s le r we re
tr an q u i'l and uncongested. Man yp e o p le a rriv e d a t t h e p a rk b y p e d e s t ria n m e a n s
f h e re wa s a s t o p n e a r t h e p re s e n t s o u t h
zo o e n tr ance, and the ljne trav e rs e d t h e p a rk f ro m we s t t o e a s t . Wh e nt rol l e y
or on the Raleigh S prings trolley .
tr a ve l d ecl i ned, th'is route bec a met h e b u s I a n e .
Si nce 19 50, w'ith wi de avai I ab'i1i t y o f t h e a u t o mo b1i e , t h e p a rk h a s b e c o mem o r e
h e a vi'ly congested. The growth a n d s u e c e s so f B ro o k s Mu s e u m,Me mB h ' is
Z o o an d
Aqu a r iu m, and MemphisCollege of A rt h a s a d d e d t o t h e t ra f f ic d e ma n d . 0 n s p r i n g
we e ke n d s,pleasure driving and c ru is ' in g e x c e e d t h e c a p a c it y o f ma n yp a rk
dr ive s, bringing traff ic to a st a n d s t il I a n d ma k in g ' it v e ry d if f ic u lt t o en t e r
or e x'it the park, 0F enjoy 'its a me n it ie s . I n 1 9 7 8 , t h . e P a rk Co mmis s io ne s t a b I j she d "Peop'leDay" in the park . A p p ro x ima t e ly h a lf o f t h e p a rk d riv e s we r e
cl ose d o n weekends,creating a la rg e c o n t ig u o u s p e d e s t ria n z o n e in t h e e a s t e r n
two thir d s of the park. This co n c e p t , wh ic h e n c o mp a s s evs' irt u a l ly a ll o f t h e
fo r e st a nd half of the golf cou rs e , h a s b e e n e f f e c t jv e a n d v e ry p o p u la r.
Par kin g i s another aspect of th e p a rk wh jc h ' i s o u t mo d e d . T h e re a re o n ly fo u r
d e ve lo p e dlots in the park: zoo s o u t h lo t (4 3 5 c a rs ); z o o e a s t lo t (1 6 0 );
C olle g e of A rt (20); and the eas t P ic n ic P a v ilio n (6 0 ).
Ma jo r f a c ilit je s
such
as Br oo ks Museum,WdilenburgS he ll" a n d t h e G o lf Co u rs e a re wit h o u t o f f -ro ad
pa r k'in g . Therefore, most park v i s ' it o rs p a rk i n p a ra l I e l f a s h ' io n o n e x ' is t i n g
dr j ves. Additi onal desti nati on p a rk i n g I o t s a re n e e d e d , t h o u g h i t ' is v e ry
im p o r tan t that these be welI de s ' ig n e da n d c a re f u l ly lo c a t e d , t o p ro t e c t t h e
in teg r ity and'image of the park . T h e c a p a c ' it y o f t h e s e lo t s s h o u ld b e mo d e r a t e ,
with excess or peak period park in g io c a t e d o n e x is t in g d riv e s .
Th e o r ie n tat'ion and s'ignagemus t a ls o b e s ig n if ic a n t ly
' imp ro v e d . T h is is t r u e
b o th withjn and outside of the p a rk , e s p e c ia lly o n ro u t e s le a d in g t o ma jo r
attr a ct'i ons. A utomobile routes wit h in t h e p a rk s h o u ld b e we lI ma rk e da n d m o r e
di r e ct, dl 'lowing f ewer dri v'ing a l t e rn a t j v e s t h a n a t p re s e n t .
28
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and transport a t ' io n p la n n ' in g wo rk wa s p re p a re d b y A lle n &
0n the weekendof A u g u s t 2 3 -2 4 , 1 9 8 6 , ma n u a l t ra f f ic v o lu me
M o st of th e traffic
Ho sh a il, inc.
cou n ts we r e madeat s'ix park ent ra n c e s . I n a d d it io n , s u rv e y re s p o n s e swe re
colle cted from 525 people 'in the p a rk o n t h a t we e k e n d ,o S we ll a s 2 2 o f t h e
6 1 n e ig h b orhoodleaders respondin g t o a writ t e n q u e s t io n n a jre . T h e re s u lt s
in d ica te that approx'imately80%o f p a rk v is it o rs a rriv e b y c a r, a n d 5 0 %o f
the se u se only two entrances: Mjd d le P o p la r a n d P o p ' la r a t T u c k e r. T h e s e
ar r iva l pa tterns indicate that th e p a rk h a s a p e rc e iv e d " f ro n t " a ' lo n g P o p lar
Aven u e , wi th E ast and North P ark wa ye n t ra n c e s re c e i v i n g I ' ig h t u s e . A d d it ' io na l
and conclusio n s o c c u r jn t h e re p o rt , S u rv e y o f V is ' it o r U s e
an d Tr a ffic P atterns in Overton P a rk (A ' l' le n & Ho s h a ll I n c . wit h S mit h , lg 8 7 ) .
tr affic
29
statistics
Pa r k Acti vities
Pa r k acti v 'ities have been mappe da c c o rd ' in gt o ro u t e s o r p a t h wa y s , a n d a re as
A s expected, t h e mo re c o n c e n t ra t e d a c t ' iv it ie s o c c u r in t h e
acce ssibl e open spaces, part'i cu l a r' ly ' in t h e we s t e rn t h i rd o f t h e p a rk . T hi s
ar e a i ncl udes the major i nsti tut ' io n s , t h e p rima ry p a rk e n t ra n c e s a n d d ri v e s ,
o r zo n e s of use.
an d the p rime open space in the p a rk
t h e " G re e n s wa rd " . Du rin g h ' ig h u s e
pe r io d s, certain activjt'ies occ a s io n a lly c o n f lic t wit h o n e a n o t h e r.
For
on Doug h b o yd riv e p o s e s h a z a rd s a n d imp a c t s t o c o n ce n tr a ted p edestrian activities in t h is s a mea re a . B e g in n in g ' in t h e s u mme rof
exa m p le , heavy traffic
19 8 6 , the MemphisP olice Depar t me n tin s t a lle d t e mp o ra ry b a rrie rs t o p ro h jb i t
tr a ffic a long Doughboydrive" T h is s o lu t io n h a s b e e n we ll re c e iv e d , t h o u gh
'its costl y enforcementnecessit a t e s a n e v a lu a t io n o f p e rma n e n td e s ig n c h a n g e s "
The fo r e st, comprising 5I% of the p a rk la n d a re a , re c e iv e s lo we r in t e n s ' it y u s e
such a s h'iking, while the P 'icn ic P a v il io n a n d p la y a re a a lo n g E a s t P a rk wa y
ar e m od e rately used. The Golf Co u rs e e n jo y s s t e a d y a n n u a l u s e .
F a irwa y s o f
sBe cia l b eauty, particulariy
ar o u n d t h e f o re s t . a re u s e d b y n o n -g o lf e rs f o r
str o l l i ng and even B icnics.
A s d e s c ri b e d e a rl' ie r, a lmo s t a ll p a rk a c t iv it ies
ar e pa ss'ive in nature, regardle s s o f t h e ir re la t iv e c o n c e n t ra t io n o f u s e .
Se cti on I I I I 'ists al I pr i mary p a rk a c t i v i t i e s .
30
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Veqetation Cover
The do mni ant vegetati on cover ty p e i n t h e p a rk j s t h e 1 7 5 a c re f o re s t , a r a r e a n d
'l
s'i gn if i cant urban resource. Ihi s f o re s t , a rg e ly u n d 'si t u rb e d b y h u ma na c t' iv i t y ,
is com p r isedof jarge and mature s o u t h e rn h a rd wo o d s : re d , wh it e a n d m' ix e do a k ,
tu ljp po plar, wh'ite ash, sweet g u m,h ic k o ry , c o t t o n wo o da n d s y c a mo re . T h e f o r e s t
ar e a 'is a s extensive now as in 1 9 0 1 , wh e n " L e a Wo o d s "wa s p u rc h a s e db y t h e c i t y
fo r p a r k development. Certain g o lf f a irwa y s a n d t h e p a rk ma in t e n a n c ea re a w e r e
, in t a in e d b y t h e L e a f a mily . S i n c e
l oca ted j n pre-exist'ing grazing me a d o wsma
19 0 1 , th e only forest intrusions h a v e b e e n t h e e a s t z o o p a rk ' in g a n d p ic n ic a r e a ,
th e ea st Pjcnic P av'iI jon and pla y a re a , t h e F ire s t a t io n , a n d wid e n in g o f E a s t
Pa r kwa y.
Th e l oca tion of the forest jn a n u rb a n e n v iro n me n tp o s e s s p e c ia l c h a lle n g e s
w hich m ust be understood in ord e r t o ma in t a in t h e h e a lt h a n d re g e n e ra t io n o f
P art'icularrFroblems' in c lu d e a ' ir B o llu t jo n a n d t h e e x is t e n c e of
th e for e st.
in va d e r species such as K udzu, h o n e y s u c k le , a n d p riv e t - wh ic h c a u s e s ig n if i c a n t
co m p e ti tion for hardwoodtree se e d lin g s a n d mo re t y p ic a l h e rb a c e o u sp la n t s "
As pa r t of this planning effort., t h e f irs t
c o mp re h e n s iv e v a lu a t io n o f t h e
h e a lth and successional dynamic so f t h e f o re s t is u n d e rwa y . S p e c ie s s a mp l i n g
ha s o ccu rred in test plots com p ris in g L 0 %o f t h e f o re s t , a n d a c o mp u t e riz e d
da ta ba se is being prepared. Pre s c rip t ' io n s f o r c a re f u l re mo v a l o f in v a d e r
sp e cie s and other forest impro v e me n t sh a v e b e e n ma d e . T h e lo n g lif e t e rm o f
a fo r e st necessitates that a ma n a g e me nptro g ra mo c c u r o v e r a p e ri o d o f y e ar s ,
wi th pe r i odi c prof essi onal moni t o ri n g a n d re -e v a l u a t i o n. T h e a t t ' i t u d e o f t h i s
M a ster Plan concerning the fore s t is t h e re f o re p ro t e c t ' io n , c o n s e rv a t io n , an d
stewa r d ship. A dd'itional detai ls o c c u r in t h e re p o rt , E c o lo g ic a l A s s e s s m e n t
. l9 8 7 ).
Recommendatio fnosr t h e O v e rt o n P a rk F o re s t (G u ld ' in
a n d M an agement
Q th e r vegetation cover types in c lu d e t , re e g ro v e s a n d b e a u t if u l o p e n la wn ar e a s
wh ich su pport the predominanta c t iv it ie s in t h e p a rk " Mo s t o f t h e p a rk v e g e tati on i s deciduous, dS opposedt o e v e rg re e n , a n d t h e re h a s b e e n v e ry lit t le
n e w p la n ting in decades. The F o rma l G a rd e nis o n e o f t h e mo s t s t ru c t u re d
'lan d sca pesi n the park, though i t s d e s i g n a n d ma in t e n a n c en e e d re f i n e me n t .
32
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Historic Features
O ver ton P ark i ncl udes a ri ch as s o rt me n t o f h ' is t o ri c s p a c e s , b u ' iI d i h 9 S , a n d
m e m o r ia ls, and in jts entirety is lis t e d o n t h e Na t io n a l Re g is t e r o f His t or i c
Pla ce s. E arly s'ignificant featu re s in c lu d e t h e G re e n s wa rd ,Ra in b o wL a k e , a n d
Go lf C ourse (1904), the Formal G a rd e n s(1 9 0 5 -0 6 ), a n d t h e P a v ilio n (1 9 0 2 ) . T h e
l atte r ,
k nownas the Dancing P a v ilio n , wa s t h e mo s t imp o rt a n t s t ru c t u re in t h e
p a r k tho ugh it was leveled by fre a k s t o rm in 1 9 3 6 . T h is t wo s t o ry p a v ilion
wa s si tu a ted d'irectly east of th e F o rma l G a rd e n , a n d wa s a k e y o rie n t a t ' io n a n d
ga the r i ng p'lace.
Th e fi r st'inst'itution
in the park , t h e Me mp h ' is
Z o o , d e v e lo p e dra p ' id 1 y f ro m
its m o d est beginn'ingin 1906. Me mp h isB ro o k s Mu s e u m,d e s ig n e d b y a rc h it e ct
Ja m e sG ambleRogers in the Italia n Re n a is s a n c es t y 1 e , wa s c o mp le t e d in 1 9 1 6 .
Th e go ]f Cl ub House, designed i n t h e E n g li s h T u d o r Re v iv a l s t y 1 e , wa s c o m pel t e d
i n L 9 2 6 . The first
building fo r Me mp h isCo lle g e o f A rt , wit h it s p ro min en t
ea st fa .cade, was completedin 19 5 9 .
M a n ystr u ctures from the tllP Aera a re in n e e d o f re p a ' ir, t h o u g h t h e re c e n t
r e viva l of ldallenburg S hell (193 6 ) ' is e n c o u ra g in g " T h e c o n d it io n o f a ll pa r k
m em o r ia ls, historic structures, f u rn is h ih g S , b rid g e s e t c . s h o u ld b e e v a lu a t e d
wjth th e goai of phasedrestorat io n a n d imp ro v e d c a re . Mo re d e t a ile d in f o r m a t'i on i s l'i sted in the report, O v e rt o n P a rk :
.l987).
( Ho p kin s
T h e E v o ju t io n o f a P a rk S p a c e
The d e sign of new structures, pa v in g , lig h t in g a n d s it e f u rn it u re s h o u ld be
sym p a thetic to the historic the me s in t h e p a rk . G o o de x a mp le s ' in c lu d e t h e n e w
a d d jti on to B rooks (i989) and th e T u c k e r e n t ra n c e g a t e s (1 9 5 5 )" His t o ric
p l aq u e s should be deve'loped for i n t e rp re t a t i o n o f imp o rt a n t p a rk f e a t u re s a n d
e ve n ts. A self-guided "history t ra iI " c o u ld b e e s t a b lis h e d , a d d in g a n e w
dim e n sio n for park visitors.
34
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Aesthetic Qualities
The a n alysi s of aestheti c Qua l' it i e s is b a s e d o n a v is u a l o rie n t a t io n .
Ove r ton's I andscapecharacterjs t jc s , ro l f i n g t o p o g ra p h ya n d p a t t e rn s o f
m ea d o wsand forest, make it M e mp h is 'mo s t p ic t u re s q u e p a rk . T h e s e n a t u r a l
qu a liti es,
combinedwith the s t a t u re o f it s a rc h it e c t u ra l f e a t u re s , c 1 a s s 'fiy
0ve r ton as a significant urban p a rk in t h e s o u t h e a s t re g io n .
A.r ea sof prime beauty include t h e t 7 5 a c re f o re s t , wit h it s e x c e p t io n a l s t a n d
of'l ar g e and mature canopytre e s , a n d t h e G o lf Co u rs e , e s t a b lis h e d in f o r m e r
m ea d o wareas in sympathetic re la t io n t o t h e f o re s t " T h e G re e n s wa rdis o n e o f
th e m ost scenic and fively ar e a s in t h e p a rk . I t js e n c irc le d b y t re e s , w i t h
th e Formal Gardenserving as a n e le v a t e d v ie win g t e rra c e o n t h e we s t .
Fine
ea ster ly v'iews can be enjoyed . e s p e c ia l1 y in a f t e rn o o n f ig h t , a c ro s s t h e
Gr e e n swardand Ra'inbowLake to t h e f o re s t
The visuaf impressionof the p a rk is a c c e n t e d b y a rc h it e c t u re a n d o t h e r s i r u c tu r e s, notably B rooks Museum
a n d t h e G o lf Clu b h o u s e " in t h e we s t e rn o p en a r e a
of th e park, the doughboyS tat u e , t h e Hig b e e Me mo ria l, a n d t h e Cru mpS t at u e
ar e the most prominent memoria ls . A mid s t t h e t re e s o f t h e e a s t p ic n ic ar e a i s
th e l a r ge pav'iI i on wi th i ts di s t i n c t i v e c o n ic a l ro o f . P a rk g a t e s a t T u ck e r
an d Overton P ark A venue, E S we ll a s t h e e la b o ra t e s t o n e wo rko f s in g ' le a r c h
br i dg e s and creek channels ar e a l s o ' imp o rt a n"t
U nsigh tl y areas i n need of im p ro v e ds c re e n in g i n c l u d e t h e ' la rg e ma in t e n a n c e
com p o undin the southeast corn e r, V is ib le f ro m P o p la r a n d E a s t P a rk wa y " M a n y
of th e forest invader species p a rt ic u la rly k u d z u a re v is ib le f ro m m a j o r
str e e ts and active park space s " T h e s e d is t u rb e d a re a s s h o u ld b e c a re f u l l y
r estor e d.
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C ur r e n t Plans
Par t of the impetus for this M a s t e r P la n s t e mme df ro m t h e e x p a n s io n n e e d s o f
ce r tain institutions.
One of th e f irs t d u t ie s o f t h e P la n n in g T e a mwa s t o
a d d r e ss the expansion plans for B ro o k s Mu s e u m,p re p a re d b y S k id mo re , O wing s&
M er r j I I (Houston), and A skewN ix o n F e rg u s o n& Wo lf e (Me mp h is ). Ce rt a jn m o d -. i
fica t'i on s to drives, parking and la n d s c a p ewe re ma d et o e n h a n c et h e re la t ion
be tw ee nmuseum
and park. The 70 , 0 0 0 S F e x p a n s io n is u n d e rwa ya n d will b e
com p le ted in 1989.
M em p h isCollege of A rt is contemp la t ' in ga 2 0 , 0 0 0 S F a d d it io n . p la n n in g T e a m
r e co m m endations
include improve me n t st o d riv e wa y a f ig n me n t sa n d p a rk in g . T h e
hla lle n b urg S hell was restored a n d re o p e n e din 1 9 8 6 b y t h e c it iz e n s c o mmitt e e
"Sa ve O ur S hel1"" A 1I of these a c t io n s e n liv e n a n d e n h a n c et h e " A rt s Z o n e , , i n
the Ba r k"
M em p h 'is
Z oo and A quarium'is con t e mpa' lt ' in g ma jo rimp ro v e me n t sa n d e v e n t u a l e x p a n sio n of the 36 acre facil ity.
A ma s t e r p la n h a s b e e n p re p a re d b y De s . ig n
Co n so r ti uin, Ltd' (New0r'leans). T h e P la n n ' in gT e a mh a s c o o rd in a t e d re f in e m e n t s
o f th is plan to enhancethe rela t io n o f z o o a n d p a rk . P h a s e I imp ro v e men t st o
the so u th zoo entrance w'iI I be c o n s t ru c t e d i n 1 9 8 9"
A si gn ifj cant
action, with a pos it iv e e f f e c t o n t h e e n t ire p a rk , c o n c e rn s t h e
d 'isp o s'ition of the I-40 r'ight-of -wa y " T h ro u g ht h e e f f o rt s o f t h e c jt y A d mn. ii s tr ati on , the iuri sdict'ion of th e c o rrid o r a re a wit h in t h e p a rk h a s b e e n t ran s fe r r e d fr om the state to the C' it y o f Me mp h is .
38
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APPENDIX : A LTE RNA TIV E CO NCE P T P L A NS
The syn thesis of park actjvities
p ro g ra mmin ga n d s it e a n d t ra f f ic
a n a ly s ' is
yi eld e d a numberof alternative p a rk p ia n s . V a rio u s id e a s f ro m t h e s e a lt e r na ti ves were consoljdated into e ig h t d is t in c t p ' la n s , a n d t h e s e we re in t u rn
r e fi ne d i nto three basic alterna t iv e s .
AII thr e e plans share a commo a
n s s u mp t io na b o u t la n d u s e a n d p a rk a c t iv it jes "
This i s that these activities s h o u ld re ma in p a s s iv e in n a t u re , a n d t h a t
with
their current lo c a t io n s wit h in t h e p a rk a re a p p ro p ria t e n o w
an d in the future. Therefore, t h e a lt e rn a t iv e p la n s c o n c e n t ra t e o n imp ro ve m e n t s
fe w e xce ptions
to exi st'ing I and uses and acti v' it j e s , a n d t h e c o n n e c t io n s a n d c ' irc u l a t i o n
r ou tes b etweenthem" For exampel , a l I p l a n s o f f e r s i g n i f i c a n t ' imp ro v e men ttso
th e Gr e e nsward,acknowledgedas t h e p rime o p e n s p a c e a n d a c t iv it y a re a in t h e
pa r k" All plans recommend
resto ra t io n o f Ra in b o wL a k e a n d t h e F o rma i G a rde n ,
an d the e l'iminati on of 0oughbo yd riv e
I n ad d iti on, dl 1 pl ans 'incl ude imp ro v e me n t st o t h e A rt Z o n e , c o mp ris e d o f
Br o o ks M useum,the College.of Art , a n d S h e ll. I mp ro v e dv e h ic u la r c irc u la t i o n
an d a ne w shared parki ng I of ar e c o mmo p
n ' la n i n g re d ' ei n t s .
An o the r a ssumptioncommon
to all t h re e p la n s c o n c e rn s t h e e x ' is t in g p a rk d r i v e s ,
som es'ix miles in tota'l length. T h is js t h a t c e rt a in d riv e s , p a rt ' i c u la r' ly
jn th e forest and around the Gr e e n s wa rd ,s h o u ld b e e limin a t e d . T h e a lt e rn at i v e
pla n s pr o pose little,
if any new d riv e c o n s t ru c t jo n " I n a d d it io n , d l 1 p ' la n s
r ed u ce the numberof vehicujar e n t ra n c e s in t o t h e p a rk , b y c lo s in g s u c h
en tr an ce s as Overton P ark A ven u e , e a s t P o p la r, a n d t h o s e n e a r t h e i n t e rs e c t i o n
of N or th and E ast P arkway.
Al 1 p la n s propose more destinatio n -o rie n t e d v e h ic u la r c irc u la t io n ,
w' it h
pa r ti cula r attention to the A rt Z o n e a n d Z o o . A ll p ' la n s re c o mme ntdh a t t h e
w ee ke n dd rive closings for "P eop ' leDa y " b e ma in t a in e d a n d e x t e n d e d if n e c e s s a r y .
The o ff - street parki ng requ'irem e n t si n a l I t h re e p l a n s a re t h e s a me :
40
A rt Zone
1 7 5 c a rs
S helI North
65
Greensward
55
Goif Course
35
E ast P i cni c P aviI i on
100
Zoo and A quarium
9 0 0 (e v e n t u a l)
NewS outheast Greens wa rd
6 5 (e v e n t u a l)
Fin a lly, all plans recommend
ac q u is jt io n o f a 3 . 0 a c re u n d e v e io p e dp a rc e l e a s t
of M cLe anand south of Galloway . T h is wo u ld e n h a n c et h e c u rre n t G a llo wa y
en tr an ce 'into the park, and wou ld p re -e mp t la n d u s e c o n f l ic t s whjc h wo u ld o c c u r
fr om pr ivate developmentof thjs la n d . T h e p ro p o s e du s e o f t h js p a rc e l wou l d
b e as a "green" area and buffer z o n e f o r re s id e n c e s imme d ' ia t e lys o u t h .
The b a sic differences in the th re e a lt e rn a t jv e p la n s a re s u mma riz e do n t h e
fo l I o wing pages.
41
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Al t e rna ti ve Pl an rA '
T h is p l a n w o u l d re d u ceth e n u mb e rof par k entr ancesfr om eleven to five, and
wou l d i m p r o v eth e e xi sti n g mi d d 'l ePopiar entr ance. Twovehicular loop dr ives
are i n c l u d e d : o n e i n th e fo re st (weekdaytr affic only) , and one ar oundthe
Greensward. The Bus Lane, north forest road, and east Poplar entry and drive
wo u l d b e e ' li m i n a te d a n d p o ssi b l y conver tedto pedestr ian usage. In this pian,
the Play Area would be relocated to acconmodate
future Zoo parking, and the large
at Poplar and East Parkwaywould remain.
maintenancecompound
42
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Plan tBt
Th is p l a n a l s o e l i mi n a te s a l l b u t five par k entr ances" The m' iddlepop'ar
l
e n t r a n c ew o u l d b e cl o se ci , a n cia n e wmain entr anceestablished by extension
o f C o o p e L i n t o th e p a rk l o o p ro a d . Th' is would allow vehicular and pedestr ian
t ra f f i c
t o e n te r o r e xi t th e p a rk at a safe, well m ar ked,Signal' ized' inter s e c t i o n . T h e e n tra n ce d rj ve w o u l d be car efully r outed thr ough a por tion of
t h e f o r e s t , ! , tj th a sl i g h t w e stw a rdcur vatur e and textur ed paving. This solut ion w o u l d e n ta i l re d e si g n a n d l engthening of Number
Sevengolf ho1e,
m a d ef e a s i b l e b y e l i mi n a ti o n o f th e middle Poplar par k dr ive.
43
Pla n 'B'proposes
a iarge loop d riv e wh ic lr e n c o mp a s s etsh e f o re s t (we e kd a y
tr a ffjc only) and the Greenswa rd . T h e p la y a re a wo u ld b e re lo c a t e d t o t h e
ea ster n edge of the Greenswa rd ,ju s t s o u t h o f Ra in b o wL a k e . T h e d riv e
be tw ee nthe etghth and ninth g o lf h o le s wo u ld b e e limin a t e d .
Pl a n 'B' i ncl udes developmen to f a n e w G re e n s wa rda re a i n t h e s o u t h e a s t c o r n e r
o f th e park. This non-progra mmeodp e n s p a c e wo u ld p ro v id e a d d it io n a l a r e a
of recreation press u re s a t o t h e r p a rk a re a s . I n a d d it io n , it w o u l d
e n h a n cethe park image from t h e b u s y in t e rs e c t io n o f P o p la r a n d E a s t P a r k w a y .
The southeast Greenswardwou ld o c c u p y t h e e x is t in g s o u t h h a lf o f t h e Mai n t e n a n ce Compound,
whjch 'is prese n t ly p a v e d o r c le a re d , re c la imin g t h is a rea f o r
for r e lief
"gr e e n " uses. Thi s proposal wo u ld e n t a ' iI e i t h e r re l o c a t i o n o r c o n s o l' id a t i o n
of cer tain maintenancefunctio n s t o t h e p rima ry f a c ilit y imme d ia t e ly n o r t h ,
wh ich wouid remain intact.
Alter n a tive P lan rC'
Th is plan may be termed the " le a s t ro a d s o p t io n " . T h is re d u c e s t h e s ix m j l e s
of e xi sti ng park dri ves to f o u r , f o r a 3 3 %re d u c t i o n. V e h 'ci u l a r c i rc u l a t i o n
is ve r y direct and destination -o rje n t e d . wit h f jv e p rima ry e n t ra n c e s , in c l u d jn g th e new P op'lar entrance oo p o s it e Co o p e r. T h e d riv e b e t we e nt h e e ig h t h
a n d nin th golf holes may eithe r re ma in o r b e re mo v e din t h is p ja n .
Th e i oo p drive is removedfrom t h e G re e n s wa rdin t h is p ' la n ; c a rs h a v e a cc e s s
o n iy a long the south and west p e rip h e ry . T h is imp ro v e s t h e p e d e s t ria n e n v ' ir o n m e n t'i n the Greensward,particu la riy a ro u n d Ra in b o wL a k e a n d t h e f o re s t e d g e .
As i n P lan'B ', the south hal f o f t h e Ma in t e n a n c eCo mp o u n d ' isc o n v e rt e d f o r
p a r k use as a new Greensward.
44
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Public Input and Plan Refinement
T w om a jo r p u b l i c me e ti n g sw e r e held in Apr i1, 1986- one at the Collegeof Ar t
a u d i t o ri u m,a tte n d e db y 1 5 0 people, and one at a r egular m onthlymeetingof
t h e M e m p h iP
s a rk C o mn i ssi o n.Pr ogr am
data, site and tr affic analysjs, a nd the
t h r e e a l te rn a ti ve p l a n s w e re pr esented. In addition, these plans and r el ated
a r t i c l e s w e re p u b l i sh e di n T he Conm er cjal
Appeal
. This featur e stor y, i1 l us trated in color, appearedprominentlyon the front pageof the Metro Section.
Duringand after these presentations,input was received over a four week
period from manyindividuals, jnterest group representati ves. and neighborhood
l e a d e r s. T h e co n se n suosf these comm ents
was in favor of Plan' C' , whic hw as
a l s o p r e fe rre d b y th e P l a n n i ngTeam . Since that tim e, sever al plan moo i fi c at i o n s h a veo ccu rre d . T h e sei nciude the deletion of the Cooperentr ancej n
f a v o r o f si te i n p ro ve me n ts.to
the existing m iddle Poplar entr y.
Additional traffic analysis indicates that the proposedEast Parkwayentrance
o p p o s i teB ro a dA ve n u ew i l l n ot function at the level desir ed. Thjs entr anc e
h a s b e enre l o ca te dso u th , o p positethe Picnic Pavilion.
The design for the Greensward
has beenrefined to include a pedestrian
P r o m e n a d eT. h j s o ccu rsw i th in the exjsting location of Doughboy
dr ive, i n the
very active pedestrianarea east of the FormalGarden. A neworientation
P a v i li o n i s a l so p ro p o se d ,'i n an ar chitectur al style r eminiscentof the for m er
structure. The northwardonientation of the Promenade
creates a muchimproved
pedestrjanlinkage betweenthe Art Zoneand Zoo. A wa'lkwayencircles the
Greensward,
winding east to RainbowLakeand the relocated Play Area.
The newsoutheastGreensward
wouldhavean entry from East Parkway,with ample
parking. A sepafateentranceand parking area are recommended
for the Maintenancecompouno.
S i d e w a l kssh o u l db e d e ve l o p edv{ her eneeded,especially aiong PoplarAvenue.
46
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A j o g g i n g tra i l i s p ro p o se da djacentto the m ajn loop r oad. with a 1.4 r nil e
c i r c u i t fre e o f ro a d cro ssi n gs.
T h e s i x ma i nve h i cu l a r e n tra ncesto the par k ar e to haveinpr ovedvisibilit y
a n d s i g n a g e . A n i n te rn a l g ra phicsand signagesystemis also pr oposed,al ong
w i t h n e wo ff-ro a d p a rkj n g l o ts at key locations.
With respect to the forest, it is very importantthat further evaluation
plan be im pler nented.
l e a d i n g to a fo re st ma n a g e ment
Thjs will entai l peri odi c
m o n i t o r in g ,.re -e va l u a ti o n ,a n d complementar
y
field
action. The use and ap pr ec i a t i o n o f th e fo re st w o u l db e enhanced
by a newinter pr etive tr ai l system . T hi s
,l
.7
i s p r o p ose da s a
mi 1 e h i ki ng loop, with descr iptive signs and snall se ati ng
a r e a s , d esi g n e di n th e styl e o f Natjonal Par k Ser vicenatur e tr aiis.
F i n a ''il y , a l l p a rk e l e me n ts,i n cluding walkways,benches,tables, !r ash r ' e c ept a c l e s , bi cycl e ra cks, re st ro oms,site lighting, a,ndlandscape
should be s teadil y
u p g t a d e d . T h i s p ro g ra msh o u l d include hjstor ic m emor ials,stone br idges, and c r i ek s
a s w e l l . In te rp re ti ve si g n a g eand.a cor r esponding
self- guided "Histor y Tr ai 1,'
s h o u l db e a l o n g te rm g o a l.
47
OVERTON
Overton Park Pavilion
48
(left)
PARK
and Conway Menorial
Pergola'in
the Formal Garden - ca.
1905
Vl .
APPE NDIX : CLIE NT and P L A NNI Nc T E A M / A DDI T I O NA L RE P O RT S
C I ie n t
C'ity of Memph
is
R j cha r d C. Hackett, Mayor
M em p hs'i P ark Commi
ssion (S taff ) :
Bob B rame
E xecutive Dire c t o r
H ar ry McLeod
Director of P la n n in g a n d Re s e a rc h
L a r ry K eenan
P rogramP l a n n e r
Bu ild in g Design and Constructi o n De p a rt me n t :
Cl a rk E den S r.
Manager
Ken B adowski
P roject Ma n a g e r
Pfa n n i nq Team
Ritchie Smjth A ssociates
P ar k P la n n i' n ga n d L a n d s c a p eA rc h it e c t u re
J. Ritchie S mith, A S LA Pro je c t Dire c t o r
L issa Thompson
Al I en & HoshalI Inc.
A s s o c ia t e P la n n e r a n d L a n d s c a p eA rc h it e c t
Traff i c a n d T ra n s p o rt a t i o n p 1a n n ' in g
Ha r ry P ratt
Joh n Lin n Hopkins
P ro je c t E n g in e e r
Consulting His t o ria n
Jam e sM . Guldjn, P h.d. - Consu lt in g S j lv a c u lt u rjs t
Additional Consultant Reports
Su r ve v.gI Y llilgr 9s? 3n9 Traffic P a t t e rn s in 0 v e rt o n P a rk , A 1 1 e n& Ho s h a l l i n c .
. |9 8 7
w i th Ritchie S mith A ssoci a t e s ,
App e n d ix 2: 0verton P ark Traff ic S t u d y , A 1' le n & Ho s h a li I n c . , . l9 8 7 .
0ve r ton Park: The E volution of a P a rk S p a c e , J o h n L in n Ho p k in s , . l9 8 7 .
Ecolo g ical A s:essmellt?n9 ,lY lana g g rlgRe
p a rk
.l9 8 7 . rt c o mme n d a t jo fnosr t h e O v e rt o n
For est, JamesM. Guld'in,
49
Memphis Park CommissionMembers
tJiI I i a m t,lolbrecht, Cha'irman
R ob Ba'ird
R eg g ie B arnes
C ar o lyn Dobson
Ve r ti e s S aiI s
50
I